Murdering Town facts for kids
Murdering Town (also known as Murthering Town) was a historic village where the Lenni Lenape people lived. It was made up of several smaller communities located along the Connoquenessing Creek and Breakneck Creek. Today, this area is near the towns of Harmony and Evans City in Pennsylvania, United States.
This village was important because it was located along the Venango Path. This path was a major travel route through what was then called the Ohio Country during the time of the French and Indian War. Today, this historical area is part of Western Pennsylvania.
A Look Back: History of Murdering Town
George Washington's Journey
In 1753, a young George Washington traveled through Murdering Town. He was on an important mission to Fort Le Boeuf. This trip happened about six months before the French and Indian War officially began.
On December 27, Washington and his guide, Christopher Gist, had a dangerous encounter. A Native American, who was allied with the French, attacked them just a few miles from the village. They managed to escape safely.
Remembering the Encounter
Today, a stone marker stands along PA 68 near Evans City, PA. This marker tells the story of Washington's encounter with the Native American. The exact spot where this event happened is not known for sure. However, historians believe it was somewhere between Evans City and Zelienople.
